Sally D. Van Artsdalen's Obituary
SALLY JO DENTON SKINNER VAN ARTSDALEN
11-13-30 - 7-10-15
Sally Jo Denton Skinner Van Artsdalen was called to heaven by her savior Jesus Christ on July 10, 2015. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in La Jolla, CA. She was 84. Sally was a Christian woman of great faith and embraced those values every day in all things.
“Sally Jo” was born in Iola, Kansas on November 13, 1930 to Fred Leslie and Marion Lois (Talbert) Denton, and to her proud brother, Harold “Sonny” Beck, who was 8 years older. She was raised by her parents and maternal grandparents, George and “Donnie” Talbert, who lived with the family until they died. Sally Jo’s paternal grandmother and her maiden sister, Great Aunt Gertha Shreck, lived 12 miles away in the country town of Colony, Kansas. The family spent many Sundays at their house enjoying homemade chicken and noodles, and homemade pies.
As a child and teenager, Sally played the accordion. She entertained during the dinner hour at an Italian Restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, tap danced and gave readings at her mother’s clubs. These experiences are where she learned to appear before audiences without being nervous.
Sally Jo’s parents owned a cottage in the family resort of Bella Vista, Arkansas. Her mother, her mother’s friend and her twins, Don and Diana who were Sally’s age, her brother Sonny, his best friend, his girlfriend, and the family maid, Elizabeth, spent their entire summers there. The fathers and other friends came to the cottage on the weekends.
The children swam mornings and afternoons, read comic books and Nancy Drew mysteries, while the mothers played bridge. Each evening, they all went to the resort dance, where an orchestra played and the kids pretended to dance along with the adults. Many beautiful memories were made at the family summer cottage.
Sally Jo attended Kansas State College, now known as Kansas State University, and lived 4 years at the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority House. Her leadership skills shined as the President of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Chapter and as the Kappa Kappa Gamma Convention Chair for 400 people.
Sally moved to La Jolla, California to live and to marry Roger Paul Skinner. They had 3 beautiful girls, Paula, Sara and Julie. After many memorable years shared with family and friends, they left La Jolla and relocated to the Bay Area. There, they had a handsome baby boy, William. The family eventually returned to Southern California and settled in Escondido, California. After an unfortunate divorce from the children’s father, Sally eventually remarried, Jack Van Artsdalen. They shared 38 years together.
Along with raising 4 children, life’s problems led Sally to return to college to get an Elementary Teaching Credential. As a teacher, she could juggle being a mother and breadwinner for her family. And despite a challenging lifestyle, she experienced 36 wondrous years of teaching Kindergarten to Third Grade students at Central Elementary School. She worked alongside amazing, talented teachers and principals, and found great joy in going to work each day.
Despite her busy schedule, Sally always made time for her family, lifelong friends from Wichita, Kansas, from La Jolla, the Bay Area and wonderful retired teacher friends from Escondido, California. She was an active member at Westminster Presbyterian Church, as well as a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), and the Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Teachers’ Society.
Sally Jo Denton Skinner Van Artsdalen is survived by her husband, Jack Van Artsdalen; her 4 children: Paula Skinner, Sara Skinner Broersma (Jim), Julie Skinner Bateman (Dave) and William Skinner (Perla). In addition, she is survived by her 5 grandchildren: Tarah Bateman Peargin (Will), Kyle Duggan (Delanie), Lynsay Broersma Reinhardt (Kenney), Carrye Broersma Holsbeeks (Mario), Thomas Broersma (Melissa); and her 10 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 S. Juniper St., Escondido, CA. 92025. (760 745-3225). Reception immediately following.
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